How Can You Tell If You Have Schmidt Or Bock Nib On A Twsbi?

[counterpt]

Hi,

 

I am getting a replacement nib for a TWSBI 540. Getting a fine, already have a medium.

The medium is Schmidt (bought last year on the clear pen).

 

Question: Will I be able to tell if the new nib is one of the new Bock ones? How can I tell the difference?

 

Thank you.

[radellaf]

The new nibs are a tad bigger, and the feed looks different. Should be clear if you have an old one to compare with.

[Alohamora]

Visually, there is a difference. The new Bock nib is a hair longer and tiny bit wider than the older Schmidt nib. The feed is a different design as well.

[counterpt]

Thank you!

I can't wait

[fourseamer]

Definite difference in appearance and writing quality (IMHO). In addition to a slightly larger size nib and feed, the imprint of "TWSBI" on the bottom of the nib is different. On the older Schmidts, the letters are smaller block type; on the newer Bocks, they are larger outlines of the letters. Also, the feeds are definitely different. The Schmidt feed is convex with smaller fins; the Bock feed, concave with larger fins.

[StyloBug33]

I love the new Bock nibs and have already replaced one of the Schmidt nibs. The temptation I am feeling is to replace all my Levenger True Writer nibs with the TWSBI Bock nibs.

 

Somebody stop me!

 

[Alohamora]

Ok, excuse to play with my new camera! Photos of both. I have only had the 540 for a few days. I don't feel much difference in writing between the two nibs now, both seem very smooth. The Schmidt took a lot of tweaking to get to this point, the Bock, hardly any.

 

Clear pen on the left is a 530 with Schmidt nib and smoke 540 on the right with Bock, both are F.

 

 

 

I'm not sure what caused the green sheen on the feed, it looks like a green analog to the red sheen from some blue inks, this pen is inked with purple.

[counterpt]

Ok, excuse to play with my new camera! Photos of both. I have only had the 540 for a few days. I don't feel much difference in writing between the two nibs now, both seem very smooth. The Schmidt took a lot of tweaking to get to this point, the Bock, hardly any.

 

Clear pen on the left is a 530 with Schmidt nib and smoke 540 on the right with Bock, both are F.

 

 

 

I'm not sure what caused the green sheen on the feed, it looks like a green analog to the red sheen from some blue inks, this pen is inked with purple.

 

My feed looks different this is the clear 540 Medium (Schmidt I assume). Your pictures are much better!

and here is my medium nib for comparison.

 

Thank you.

[counterpt]

Just want to add this for reference. I got the bock nib for the replacement (thanks for the pictures to tell them apart). I think it's a great improvement: quieter and smoother.

 

I have 2 TWSBIs, M and B, and the replacement F is smoother and quieter on paper than the others.

 

I had almost given up on TWSBI as I thought the nib was the weakest part of the pen but not anymore! Very happy with replacement.

[AmateurAficionado]

Just want to add this for reference. I got the bock nib for the replacement (thanks for the pictures to tell them apart). I think it's a great improvement: quieter and smoother.

 

I have 2 TWSBIs, M and B, and the replacement F is smoother and quieter on paper than the others.

 

I had almost given up on TWSBI as I thought the nib was the weakest part of the pen but not anymore! Very happy with replacement.

 

My nib and feed are the same as the photos you posted. I was pretty sure I had the Schmidt, but now I have confirmation. Thanks for the update and photos.

[Jimmy James]

Just to help some future viewers of this thread:

 

If you have a TWSBI 530, you have a Schmidt nib unit. Schmidt doesn't make nibs. They take nibs they buy from JoWo and Bock (likely JoWo for steel nibs) and pairs them with its own feed and collar.

 

If you have a color TWSBI 540, you have a Bock nib with a TWSBI-made feed and collar (I am pretty sure they're making the collar in house).

 

If you have a clear 540 with XF, F, M, or B nib, it will depend on when your pen was made what nib you have. Clear 540s launched with Schmidt but migrated to Bock. My understanding is that half the nib sizes migrated to Bock before the color pens were released and the other half migrated afterward. I forget which way that goes but my gut tells me XF and F went first.

 

If you have an italic nib, it is a Bock.

[korax67]

Hello to everyone !

It seems I came late at this post.

 

I have 5 TWSBI's, a 580, 3 minis and an ECO (all purchased during 2018-19), so according to the pictures posted here they all have Bock nibs and feeds.

 

My question is why is it widely spread on YouTube that TWSBI has switched nibs from Bock to JoWo ?

[Jamerelbe]

Hello to everyone !

It seems I came late at this post.

 

I have 5 TWSBI's, a 580, 3 minis and an ECO (all purchased during 2018-19), so according to the pictures posted here they all have Bock nibs and feeds.

 

My question is why is it widely spread on YouTube that TWSBI has switched nibs from Bock to JoWo ?

 

TWSBI switched from Bock to JoWo while they were still manufacturing the Diamond 540 - and therefore *long* before they started production on the 580 and the Eco. This post dates back to some time before that happened.

 

I have a TWSBI 530 nib, purchased from a "bricks and mortar" store in Hong Kong about 5 years ago, that I'm pretty sure is a Schmidt (it has the old-style feed). I also bought a Diamond 540 at the same time (no longer in production, even then), with an EF that *may* be a Bock, I'm not sure. The rest of my TWSBI nibs (on Diamond 580, Diamond Mini, Vac Mini and Eco pens) are all JoWo - and yours will be too.

[Bo Bo Olson]

Once a 'fact' is embedded on youtube, it's chiseled in stone, even if no longer right or up to date..

 

I don't have a JoWo nib, but have heard it's more nailish than Bock. Some folks like nails best of all.

So that could well be why some like JoWo best.

[korax67]

@Jamerelbe thank you very much :-)